This collection investigates the intellectual controversy surrounding Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's 1695 essay, 'New System of the Nature of Substances and their Communication,' to clarify his foundational metaphysical theories. Dr. Richard Francks and R. S. Woolhouse, both established scholars in early modern philosophy, curate and translate these primary sources to provide a comprehensive view of the debate. By assembling these texts, the authors argue that Leibniz's theory of substance and interaction was not an isolated development but a response to the rigorous philosophical climate of the seventeenth century.

Scholars and students of early modern philosophy frequently identify this volume as a vital resource for understanding the evolution of Leibnizian thought. The inclusion of newly translated materials makes this an essential reference for those examining the technical nuances of seventeenth-century metaphysical arguments.